"But there's this one particular harbour So far but yet so…read morenear Where I see the days as they fade away And finally disappear" (Jimmy Buffet) You'll find Port Jefferson's Harborfront Park between the waterfront and village center and it's well worth the visit. There's a lot going on inside the 5.1-acre Park. We saw a picnic area and children's playground with a stone porpoise and some cute stone turtles. There's a skating rink, a 350 ft pier for strolling and sightseeing or fishing, a beautiful shoreline promenade that makes you feel you're at the beach, courtesy of the seagrass and sand dunes. But for me, the highpoint of our park visit was the magnificent Shipbuilder's monument showing four shipbuilders carrying the framework of a boat high over their heads. I read that the monument was based on some old photos from the Port Jefferson Historical Society and that the men's clothing is historically accurate. What a cool way to honor Port Jefferson's maritime heritage.

My series of Harborfront Park pictures tell help support my review of this picturesque park…read more Situated on the east shoreline of Port Jefferson Harbor between Danford's and the Historic Shipyard Building (Village Center), spending time in Harborfront Park is spending time in a vintage Port Jefferson post card. It is a living postcard of the Long Island Sound water stretching out to Connecticut with boats, water birds, and bordering forested bluffs. Park goers experience this Port Jefferson Harbor shoreline view from the circular paved walking trail, open grass, a sundry of benches, sandy beach, and a 350 foot long pier extending the experience above Port Jefferson Harbor. Standing on the pier, park goers can enjoy an east facing vista of where Port Jefferson village and Harbor converge. This a living postcard that I have got to spend time in three times, with the latest being Monday, October 21, 2024. The three times that I spent here were with my dad. From these three visits (as of October 31, 2024), I give this five acre waterfront park four stars. It really captures the Port Jefferson experience. A big part of that experience is Port Jefferson Harbor with its ferry, boats, birds, docks, bordering bluffs, and water spread out to Connecticut. It is a view that brings out the shutter bug in me. Walking in from the west entrance near Danford's, my thing is to stroll along the walking path inches from the water taking pictures before walking onto the pier to take in the water below me. Sitting on a shaded bench, I would spend time talking to my dad while looking at the forested Belle Terre bluffs towering above the Long Island Sound water. Harborfront Park was not always a picturesque spot. It is the result of an environmental success story. You see, before the early 2000s, it was a blighted wasteland of oil tanks and cement that was closed off to the public. Just like most environmental success stories, people that cared got together to create something beautiful. Looking at the water that is so clear that I could see the bottom, it is hard to fathom that this was an industrial site. This environmental success story created a first-rate park with immaculate landscaping and details that is much more than a real life postcard. This park has added public art and passive entertainment to Port Jefferson Village. The focal point of the park is the Port Jefferson Harbor Sculpture depicting four men carrying a wooden boat. Nearby is a sandy splash pad staring a boat, sea lion statue, and turtle statues that splash water. In the summer children love it. During the rest of the year, it adds to the parks charm. In various places along the walking trail there are kiosks that explain the history of the area and what you are looking at. Speaking of history, the historic Shipyard Building dating back to 1917, also known as Village Center touches the northern periphery of the open grass. From what was once a blighted oil tank and cement site, you have a waterfront park that provides all these amenities. When my Dad and I spent time here, it was always engrossed with people. And, may I add dogs. The circular walking trail, is a popular spot for pet parents to walk their dogs. I like real life waterfront postcards and successful environmental stories. Harborfront Park is the epitonmy of both. There is no doubt that this is a great addition to Port Jefferson Village and my visits to Port Jefferson Village. My story through pictures and views concludes with Four Stars: I am a fan.

Situated a few feet from the "Welcome to New York" sign, Mary Bayles Park welcomes people arriving…read morefrom the Bridgeport Ferry and Long Island with a grand view of Port Jefferson Harbor. This is a view that I have enjoyed when spending time in Port Jefferson. Mary Bayles Park is a very small park tucked in between the Bridgeport Ferry ramp and Danford's. Although the park is small, the waterfront environment is spectacular. This is a view of Port Jefferson Harbor fronting the Long Island Sound with Connecticut in the distant horizon. It is a view that includes the Bridgeport Ferry that is a few feet away. This is a prime spot to watch the ferry entering and leaving the harbor. I have enjoyed this view from sitting on the benches and standing on the dock extension over Port Jefferson Harbor. Spending time here is spending time in a Port Jefferson Harbor portrait. When I took in this panoramic view of Port Jefferson Harbor, I shared it with my Dad and somebody else. That somebody else, is "The Soldier Statue." Standing in a landscaped garden facing Port Jefferson Harbor since the mid 1980s, "The Soldier Statue" has paid tribute to the shipbuilders who answered to the call of country, commerce, whaling, and pleasure. Mary Bayles Park borders Danford's to the east. If it weren't for Danford's, it would be practically contiguous to the far larger Harborfront Park on the other side. Because the park is so small and that Danford's takes up the eastern view, it would be easy to mistake it as Danford's property. If I did not spot the Mary Bayles Park sign, I might of thought that Danford's owned it. Because I currently live in Las Vegas, it is hard for me to return here. If I still lived on Long Island, I could see myself stopping at the Starbucks or Dunkin on Main Street (NY 25A) then savoring my coffee here while watching the Bridgeport Ferry take off towards Connecticut in the horizon or docking in the harbor. In the shadow of the "Welcome to New York" sign, Mary Bayles Park, has been a first-rate spot where I enjoyed being in front of Port Jefferson Harbor while taking in the Bridgeport Ferry. Supporting my four star rating are the photographs I posted with this review.

Just a charming park right along the waterfront with lots of benches and tables. Great for people,…read moreduck & boat watching and we enjoyed seeing the ferry load and unload. Lots of monuments plaques and sculptures here. We watched the boats pass by and walked along the dock too.

Huge thank you to Ranger Scott. He was the most generous guide and gave us the beautiful history of…read morethis nature trail. Impeccably dressed in his dri fit Ranger gear, he upheld the brand of Avalon Preserve. It was my father's bday, RIP, and we got to honor him with postcards at the Sphere for a spiritual send off. Thanks Scott. You added so much to our visit

Spectacular preserve Absolutely tremendous…read more Lots of acreage No bathrooms Prepare to walk a lot! Some ground was dicey for a 75 year old to trek while other paths were mowed grass and easy to walk on Free entry and parking Shep Jones Rd is best parking Lots of areas being maintained so not open

Our friends said let's get together on Saturday. Want to go to dinner? Nah, let's hang out at the…read morebeach. Hang out? Now I live by west meadow beach in Stony Brook. There are a lot of rules! No dogs, keep the noise down and be courteous of the plantings. Cedar Beach has a much more pleasant vibe. There's a live band playing and you can bring a cooler with no hassle from the local police. We have a Brookhaven virtual summer pass and cedar beach is a town beach. There's a Veteran discount on the pass, high five Brookhaven! There's a reason why the next town is "Rocky Point". The beaches on the north shore are so rocky! The beaches on the south shore are powered sand, this is a south shore thing that I always like to point out. (My beach growing up was Smiths Point) The band is playing CCR, we're drinking cold beers and having a good time at Cedar Beach. The sun is setting and now we're getting up to dance? I like hanging out.

It is difficult to review Cedar Beach, because essentially it is reviewing the Long Island Sound,…read morewhich is vintage Long Island. This viewpoint is from the eyes of a person who's Dad is a Town of Brookhaven resident. The thing to take into account when reviewing Cedar Beach is that it is a Brookhaven Township amenity where admission is very reasonable for it's residents. On the contrary, for the residents residing outside of Brookhaven, their price to enjoy access to the Long Island Sound could seem to compete with Six Flags Great Adventure prices. The Town of Brookhaven, NY website displays the prices. Whether you are a Town of Brookhaven or non-resident the days of paying at the admission gate appear to be a memory. I'm not a fan of the parking meters because they can be an annoyance for Cedar Beach guests at the same time that they do not provide the safety measure that a controlled access gate does in maintaining a sense of safety.     Cedar Beach is one of a few Town of Brookhaven Long Island Sound beachfront parks. The other one that I am familiar with is West Meadow Beach. Cedar Beach is situated on a peninsula in a scenic location that starts off with a drive along bucolic and windy Pipe Stave Hollow Road that gives a nod to the East End with its bordering woodlands, estates on rolling forested hills, and the picturesque Mount Sinai Harbor that brings images of the Great Peconic Bay. A left turn onto Harbor Beach Road continues the drive on the peninsula where Mount Sinai Harbor with the boats are to the south and the beachfront, nature trail, concession stand, and amenities are to the north. One advantage of the meter system is that if you want to see the beach scape by vehicle, you can drive to the end of Harbor Beach Road without paying.    The peak season is from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It is my understanding that they provide lifeguards during this busy season. However, it was off-season when I went with my Dad, a Brookhaven resident, to see Cedar Beach. Living in the Las Vegas desert, it just made sense to spend some time by the Long Island Sound when I visited my dad. Please keep in mind that I am no stranger to Cedar Beach. My memories go back to the early 1980s when I was a child that spent time with my dad at Cedar Beach. Not much has changed since President Regan was in office. Cedar Beach is still a very rocky North Shore Beach that is unstable for swimming in barefooted. However, one change that was administered over the years is that dogs are prohibited at Cedar Beach.    My Dad and I visited Cedar Beach in May. Before peak season the beach was very unpopulated. If my dad did not have a Brookhaven pass, the parking meters could care less that the parking lot was relatively empty. Waiting for us were several spaces overlooking a band of white sand fronting a large expanse of Long Island Sound water spread out towards Connecticut. Unlike West Meadow Beach, Cedar Beach provides a prime vista of a beach scape taking in the Connecticut shoreline. On a serene Long Island day the waves were very gentle. With so few people sharing this experience, this was a mellow way to spend some time with my dad. We did go for a short walk on the beach. Being a hiker, of I was alone and had sufficient time, I would of hiked west on the sand that would take me onto the nature trail that would ultimately lead me to the end of the peninsula at the Cedar Beach Fishing Pier Area where Harbor Beach Road ends at a water view overlooking Belle Terre.     I am a fan of Long Island Sound, I am a fan of Cedar Beach. Being that my Dad is a Brookhaven resident, I could see a return visit here when I spend time with my Dad on Long Island.

I will give this park four stars for what it is, a nice place to take a walk or do laps in the…read moreneighborhood. The paved asphalt path is stated to be 1,820 feet, 0.35 miles. The path is a much more enjoyable walk then going to the local High School track. There are also trails into the woods. They intersect at a geometric pattern made from slate stone with with three stone benches.

Visit Date: July 17, 2020…read more I came here to go on a hike. I use hiking, biking and roller skating on quads to cross train cardio for when I run. I also do dessert fairy dusting so I plan out my hiking visits to coincide some dusting drops. I loved this park but I had no idea it was so small. The cement trail is only .4 of a mile. By the time I drive to a new trail to check it out I usually don't have much time to hike on it before I should head back home, take a shower and do whatever else I'm doing for that day so I usually will only get a mile maybe two on a trail but for this trail I had to walk around it multiple times, weaving in and out of the wooded side paths in order to make at least one mile of hiking. Other than it being so tiny it was a nice little well maintained park. If you're a novice hiker or a runner looking for a fairly safe place to do hikes this park is good for you.

Came up to visit family and left with a new favorite park. Seriously, all parks should take notes…read morebecause this park is amazing. First off, free sunscreen..never seen that at a park before. A huge, paved walking trail that also has a giant field in the middle of it. An Italian ice shop for when the kids need a sweet treat. There's so much to do here and we love that for our busy body kids! Can't wait to come back :)

Heritage Park is in an area that I have an attachment to. Growing up here in the 1980s, I remember…read morewhen Route 25A was a semi rural road that abutted Davis Peach Farm in Mount Sinai. In the mid 1990s, when I was in my twenties, suburbia conquered the acres of open peach farms at a time when the Route 347 sprawl entended east along Route 25A. In 2013, there was a positive turn of events. On the triangular parcel of former peach farm lane bounded by NY 25A, Coram-Mount Sinai Road, and County Route 83; a developer proposed constructing a home improvement store. Concurrently, the local residents with Brookhaven Township derailed these plans and instead created a beautiful park where residents from all over can enjoy a public space. Heritage Park was born. By now, I was living in Las Vegas. In recent times when I visited my Dad, we had spent time here on four occasions before dining in Lotus East. The way we have experienced Heritage Park is walking the 0.7 mile oval walking path counter clockwise with three bench stops. This review discusses the four experiences here from the perspective of walking the peripheral trail counter-clockwise. To begin with, this is a concrete trail that is level. This has been beneficial to my dad who has had foot issues. Getting on the trail northbound we take in the historic Heritage House. This is a community center that houses local events. For park users this is one of two restroom locations. Continuing north, the Davis Peach farm history lives on with preserved farming equipment by a red barn. As the trail curves west at the triangular northern tip of the park, a community garden and diminutive forest appear to the back of the Heritage House. This is where we sit after walking around the park. Traveling northbound parallel to County Route 83, there are sporadic young trees that have been gradually maturing. Within a few years, I expect them to bring shade to a park that was formerly farmland. It is along this segment where we take our first bench break in a square called "The Court of Americas." This is a neat area where the garden is shaped like the USA that is framed with bricks displaying the names of every US President. From this spot, there is a clear view of the butterfly garden and central walkways. Continuing north, then following an S-curve, my eyes take in the open grass, soccer fields, and baseball fields to the left. At the S-curve, I have seen the most nature in the park that includes rabbits and robins. At the northern preiphery, the trail turns to the left to follow NY 25A. From here, I could see the expanse of open grass reaching towards the Heritage House. Turning to the south, I sometimes cut across the play knoll. I believe that this is the highest point of the park. The trail now parallels Coram-Mount Sinai Road with the soccer field to the left. This is where our second bench stop is. It is a scenic spot that overlooks a decorative waterfall with a miniature pine forest slope providing the backdrop of a putting green fronting open grass reaching towards Route 25A. Continuing north towards the parking lot, the park turns children's friendly. There is a Kids Maze and a playground. What the park is not, is doggy friendly. Dogs are prohibited. Heading more north the scenery features the parking lot to the right with open grass to the left. By now we have walked 0.7 miles. We will conclude the loop at bench stop three overlooking the community garden. Depending on the visit, we have done a second loop or walked back to the car. Speaking of parking. The parking lot is off of Coram-Mount Sinai Road. On all four of our visits there has been sufficient parking. I would like to add that the parking lot is convenient to the the North Shore Rail Trail. Only a short walk along Coram-Mount Sinai Road then across Route 25A is a 10-mile paved trail that connects Mount Sinai to Wading River. This short walk extends the Heritage Park experience into a regional hike or bicycle ride. If I still lived on Long Island, I would partake in it. In conclusion, I give Heritage Park 4-stars. The local residents and Brookhaven Township have created something special.

Haven't been in a while but it's so beautiful so calming and a great place to study-…read moreThe stained glass windows always got me

This is my favorite spot to come when I want to be alone with nature. Although the lake loop is…read moresmall, the park has much to offer. Firstly, the wildlife spotting here is excellent. The lake is home to swans, ducks, turtles, deer, birds (they even have birdwatcher gatherings here), frogs, and squirrels to name a few. Every time I go I am amazed at how many pictures of wildlife and nature I end up with. Secondly, the park is beautiful in any season and offers hiking, events, and peaceful walks for the neighborhood. In the summer they have live music. There is lots of parking around if the small parking lot is filled.

A beautiful large well maintained park containing 2 baseball fields and a soccer field. Walking…read morein, there are picnic tables under a large gazebo and a large children's playground to the side. The baseball fields are turfed with grass outfield. There is a large parking lot, but what cost this one star is that there are no restroom facilities! You gotta use a port a potty right next to the dugout...

This park is beautiful with the up keep of the grounds to the beautiful fields and playground for…read morethe kids. Thank you to the town of Brookhaven for the renovation so the community can come for some peace and relaxation .

Took a ride on the brand new North Shore Rail Trail. I parked on the Mt. Sinai end of the trail in…read morea shopping center. There were a few spots that were reserved for the auto body shop, but there did not seem to be any restrictions on any other spaces. On the Wading River end of the trail there was a barren dirt area adjacent to the trail where 4-5 cars can park. The whole trail was flat with the exception of one incline that was significant enough to earn itself a warning sign. Pavement was brand new and super smooth so the ride was pleasant in that respect. There were many street crossings, especially on the west end of the trail. There seemed to be one every 1/4 mile. No records will be broken on this trail since you have to constantly stop to look for cars at each crossing. Some of the busier roads were equipped with a button to activate lights to alert motorists of crossing pedestrians/bikers. The majority of the scenery was the same throughout: low trees, bushes and large power lines on either side of the trail. There were a few things that stood out including an old LIRR station building at Rocky Point that was recently renovated, the bridge passing over Woodville Rd, and some gardens from houses along the trail that extend beyond their fences. It was surprisingly a good path to spot wildlife. Groundhogs, deer, cats, wild turkeys and bunnies were seen. The trail is a great addition to the network on LI. It's not my favorite trail in the area, but I'm glad I got to see it.

If you are looking for an easy running/walking/biking trail, the North Shore Rail Trail is for you…read more It runs east-west behind people's backyards, parallel to Long Island's North Shore, from Mt. Sinai to Wading River. It is fully asphalted, level with a few long but slight inclines, well maintained (we saw maybe 3 empty bottles alongside it), and is nearly 10 miles each way with a good number of well-marked perpendicular street crossing. The only confusing part (and now, it should not be confusing, with this caveat) is that in the town of Rocky Point, the trail stops, YOU CONTINUE FOR 1.5 BLCOKS ON PRINCE STREET, and then you will again see the signs for the Rail Trail to continue on. We saw deer dining alongside the trail, which was quite nice. At the western end, you are welcome to park in the parking lot of the Rose Caracoppa Senior Center, although the trail actually starts about 2/3 of a mile west of this. Enjoy this gift of a nice run/walk/ride.